Gas range



Sept. 22, 1936. B. E. MEACHAM 2,055,384

GAS RANGE Filed May 19, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jnnentor GttorncgS Sept.22, 1936. B. E. NIEACHAM GAS RANGE Filed May 19, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 23nuentor y W (E,

du mw GttornegS Sept. 22, 1936. B. E. M EACHAM 8 GAS RANGE Filed May 19,1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 59 J02 J03 3nventor Gttorncgs Se t; 22, 1936. B EMEACHAM 2,055,384

GAS RANGE Filed May 19, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Zhmentor @mmmgwm(Ittornegj Sept. 22, 193. B. E. MEACHAM GAS RANGE Filed May 19, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 5 3nventor GttornegS Patented Sept. 22, 1936 PATENT OFFICE;

GAS RANGE Benjamin Edward Meacham, Lorain,

Ohio, as-

signor to American Stove Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of NewJersey Application May 19, 1932, Serial No. 612,309

5 Claims. (El. 158-1174) This invention relates to improvements in gasranges pertaining, however, more particularly to a gas range, which isautomatically turned on and off at predetermined times.

The primary object of the inventionis the provision of an improved gasrange in combination with means to turn on and off the gas to the rangeburners at a predetermined time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a signal lamp incombination with the oven lighter burner of the range to indicate andsignal whether or not this burner is lighted or is out.

Other particular and specific objects, novel features of constructionsand improved results of the invention appear more specifically in thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view 20 of the improved range.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the range with thecooking top plates of the open burner portion of the range removed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end view of the 25 range, a portion of the endwall of the open cooking top portion of the range being broken away tobetter illustrate the construction.

Figure 4 is also an end view of the range with the end of the cookingtop portion of the range 30 being broken away to better illustrate theconstruction.

Figure 5 is a front view of the electric control clock.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic showing of the elec- 35 trical hook up of theclock to effect the control of the gas delivery to the range.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view partially in horizontal sectionillustrating the oven lighter burner and the thermostatic switch inconjunc- 40 tion therewith.

Figure 8 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 7, the figurebeing partially broken away and shown in vertical section.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the thermostatic switch operating elementsurrounding the pilot light for the burners of the open cwklng top ofthe range.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detailed view partially 0 in vertical sectionof the thermostatically operated switch operated by the pilot light forthe open cooking top burners.

Figure 11 is an enlarged view partially in vertical section illustratingthe same structure illus- 55 trated in Figure 10, the view, however,being taken looking towards the end of a pivotally mounted mercuryswitch.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detailed view in vertical section of theelectric solenoid gas valve.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail view in lon- 5 gitudinal section ofthe lighter tube for the elongated burner of the open cooking top of therange.

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit forthe range. 10

Describing the invention in detail in reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein similar parts are designated by like referencenumerals throughout the description, A indicates the oven of the rangeand B the burner housing of the 15 open cooking top portion of therange. One half of the open cooking top portion of the range is coveredwith a solid plate I while the other half is provided with grids 2.Within the oven is the usual oven burner 3 while beneath the gridportion of the cooking top are two burners 4 and 5. An elongated burner6 is positioned beneath the solid portion l of the cooking top.

Gas for the several burners of the range is supplied from any suitablesource and enters from the rear of the range through a conduit 1, whichat its inner end is provided with a valve 8 through which the gas canpass into the main gas manifold 9 extending centrally throughout a majorportion of the length of the burner housing of the cooking top portionof the range. The valve 8 is provided with an elongated operating rod l0terminating at the front face of the cooking top portion of the range inan operating handle II.

A by-pass gas conduit I2 has its one end in communication with the gasinlet conduit 1 in front of the valve 8 and its other end l3 incommunication with the main gas manifold 9 whereby this conduit l2constitutes a by-pass around the valve 8. An electrically operatedsolenoid valve C is positioned in this conduit l2 for a purpose whichwill be hereinafter described, as will also the particular structure ofthe valve which is illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings.

The burners t and 5 receive their gas from the main manifold 9 throughdownwardly extending mixing tubes M as clearly illustrated in Figure 4of the drawings. In this figure of the drawings will be further seen avalve l5 positioned intermediate the gas manifold 9, and the mixingtubes Id of the burner to control the supply of gas to this burner. Thisvalve I5 is provided with an elongated operating rod l6 terminating atthe 66 outer face or front of the cooking top of the range in a valveoperating handle I1.

Still referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that theburner 6 is provided with an elongated mixing tube l8, which receivesgas from the manifold 9 through a valve l9, which is provided with anelongated valve operating rod 20 terminating at its outer end in a valveoperating handle 2| positioned on the front of the cooking top portionof the range.

The pilot light D is centrally arranged in respect to the burners 4, 5and 6 as clearly appears in Figure 2 of the drawings. By reference tothe Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings, it will be seen that aconventional type of pilot light is used in that a vertical gas pipe 22has its one end 23 in communication with the gas manifold 9, while itsopposite end 24 burns a small flame within a cup 25. Just above itsconnection to the manifold 9 the pipe 22 is provided with a fitting 26having therein a screw valve 21 by means of which the gas delivery tothe pilot can be controlled to maintain at the pilot a flame of anydesired size. The fitting is also provided with a secondary gas inlet 28having communication with a gas conduit 29.

The gas conduit 29 has its opposite end 30 connected to the gas conduit3|. This gas conduit 3| has its one end connected as at 32 to the maingas inlet pipe I at a point in front of the valve 8.

Extending from a point adjacent the burners 4 and. 5 to a point adjacentthe flame of the pilot light D are flash tubes 34 through which gas fromthese burners travel to the pilot light where it is ignited and flashesback to in turn ignite either or both of these burners as may bedesired. The burner 6 is ignited when desired from the pilot light D bymeans of a lighter tube 35, which has its ends 36 terminating adjacentthe flame of the pilot light. As appears in Figure 4 of the drawings gasfrom the burner 6 travels through the orifice 31 and passes through theouter end of the arm where it is ignited by the pilot flame. Whenignition takes place, there is a flash back which causes the flame toflash up through the opening 38 in the arm and ignite the gas, which isescaping from these orifices 39 in the upper face of the arm. The flamewill travel along these orifices and thus ignite the main burner 6.

Gas is supplied to the oven lighter burner E by means of the conduit 40which has its one end 4| in communication with the gas line or pipe 3|and its opposite end 42 in communication with the mixing tube 43 of theburner E.

At a point intermediate its length the gas delivery line 40 to theburner E is provided with a valve 44. The gas supply to the oven burner3 is taken from the main manifold 9 through a valve 45, whichcommunicates with the pipe 46. The pipe 46 runs up to and through theoven thermostat control F. The gas, which is allowed through thethermostat control F, is conveyed by a pipe 41 to the mixing tube 48 oftheoven burner. The valve 45 is operated by the valve handle 49positioned on the end of the elongated valve operating rod 50.Intermediate its length this operating rod is provided with a sprocketor gear wheel 5| over which passes a chain 52, which also passes over asprocket wheel 53 carried by the extending shaft 54 of the valve 44. Asa consequence, as the valve 49 is opened and closed by the rotation ofthe rod 50, so will the valve 44 be opened and closed by the sprocketchain 52.

At this point some special reference should be made to the thermostatcontrol F. This thermostat control is for the purpose of maintaining inthe oven 9. heat of a predetermined degree. Devices for this purpose arecommon in respect to gas ranges and as is well known, there is in withinthem a valve for controlling the amount of gas delivery to the ovenburner. This valve is operated by a thermostat positioned within theoven. To obtain a control of the gas supplied to the burner, it istherefore necessary to carry the gas through the thermostat controlprior to its delivery to the oven burner. Hence, the necessity of thepipes 46 and 41 as heretofore described.

Coming back to the electric solenoid valve, reference is made to Figure12 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that the valve is in the formof a plunger 54 having a tapered end 55 cooperating with a tapered valveseat 56. The solenoid coil is indicated at 51 and is energized from anelectrical source hereinafter to be described with which it is connectedby wires 58 and 59. It will be immediately evident that as the coil isenergized the plunger will be lifted to permit the passage of gas andthat when the coil is deenergized, the plunger will fall by gravity andthus close the valve and prevent the passage of gas in the pipe line l2.

Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings G indicates amercury switch in the form of a tube 60 supported in a carrier 6|, whichis pivotally supported intermediate its length at i 62. One end of theelectric wire 58 of the solenoid valve C is fastened to a suitablesupport 63 and a short lead wire 64 connects the wire 58 to the end 65of the tube 60. A metallic contact 66 extends into the tube, and thetube, as is com- 1 mon, contains mercury 61 to which electricity isdelivered from a suitable source hereinafter to be described by means ofa wire 68. Surrounding the flame from the end 69 of the pilot D ispositioned a coil of thermo-metal 10 having its one end riveted orotherwise suitably fastened as at 'H to the cup 25 and its other andfree end 12 positioned within the notched end 13 of a lever 14, which ispivotally mounted intermediate its ends as at 15 and is provided in itslower end with a notch 16 within which is positioned a pin Tl carried bythe mercury tube carrier 6| From the foregoing it will be understoodthat as the thermo-metal expands and contracts by reason of there beingheat or no heat at the pilot,

the mercury tube will be rocked upon its pivotal support by reason ofthe arm I4. When the mercury tube is in a position, as indicated inFigure 10 of the drawings, the electric circuit is open.

When the tube is rocked into the opposite position the mercury runstowards the contact 66, the electric circuit will be closed between thewires 68, 64 and 58.

Positioned adjacent the oven wall 18 and penetrated by the oven lighterburner E, there is a box or housing 19. The lighter burner E is providedwith a plurality of burner openings 80, some of which are within thehousing 19 while the others are within the oven. A mercury switch,comprising a tube 8! having therein mercury 82, is supported within acarrier 83 which is pivotally mounted as at 84 to one wall of thehousing. This carrier has a downwardly extending arm 85 to which one endof-a thermostatic bimetal element 89 is attached. This element is of aV-shape and has its opposite end 81 secured to a pin 88 carried by thewall of the housing. Parts thus far described are so positioned that theV portion of the thermo member is above the flame orifices of the burnerE within thehousing. When the burner E is not burning, the thermoelement and the mercury switch are in the position shown in full linesin Figure 8 of the drawings. When the burner E is burning, the heat fromthe flames will cause the thermo element to expand and the parts willtake the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure 8 of the drawings.

Electric current from a suitable source, hereinaiter to be described, isbrought by a wire 90 to the binding post 9| and from that post to theend 02 of the mercury switch by a wire 93.

The outgoing current through the switch is conveyed by the wire 95 tothe binding post 90 and from there, by wire 90 to the electric light 07.It is to be noted that the thermostatic metal moves out of the flamezone when it is heated, which will prevent over heating of the metalwhich would, of course, prove injurious to it. Notwithstanding the factthat the thermostatic metal moves out of the flame zone when it isheated, the metal still remains sufiiciently close to the flame to beaffected by the heat of the flame and to stay in its expanded conditionas long as the flame is burning.

Reference has just been made to the electric light 07. This light ispositioned in the burner housing of the cooking top portion of the rangeimmediately behind a red prism glass 98 in the front face or front wallof the cooking top portion'of the range.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, which illustrate theelectric clock for controlling the turnlng oil and on of the gas to theburners at a predetermined time, this clock is provided with three dialson its face. The dial 09 is that of a regular electric clock, the dialI00 carrying a hand for setting the off time for the operation of thegas and the dial IOI carrying a hand for the setting of the on operationof the gas.

Referring to the wiring of the clock and the several mercury switchesand the solenoid valve, reference should be made to Figures 2 and 6 ofthe drawings. Here it will be seen that at the rear, the range isprovided with an electric plug or socket I 02 to which the electricstreet current ordinarily used'for the electric lights of the house isbrought by the two wires I03 and I00. From this plug continuations ofthe wires I03 and I00 run to the clock, which is designated as anentirety by H. From these main current supply wires W3 and I00 lead offwires I05 and I06 go to an ordinary electric clock motor I01, whichactuates the hands on the clock dial 99. These main current wires I 03and I00 terminate in a second plug I00 at the rear of the range.Intermediate the plugs I02 and I08 and in the clock housing are twocontacts I09 and H0. The contact E09 is for the purpose of making orbreaking the circuit in the main current wire I00 and is automaticallyoperated by the clock mechanism in accordance with the setting of the onand off dials of the time control. The contact I I0 is also in the maincurrent wire I00 and is for manual operation to be operatedindependently of the clock.

From the plug I08 the wire 90, heretofore referred to, runs to thebinding post ill of the mercury switch, which is operated by the ovenpilot light. At the opposite side of the mercury switch wire 06 leads tothe electric light 97. The second wire from the plug I08, which isnumbered 59 and which has been heretofore referred to, runs to the coilof the solenoid and from the coil of the solenoid a wire designated as58 runs to the mercury switch operated by the pilot light D. From thismercury switch the current continues onward from the wire 68 to theelectric light, where it joins wire 96. From the plug I02 a lead wireIII is taken off of the main current conducting wire I04 and runs to oneside of the electric light 91.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the following wires are alwayshot wires, that is to, say, current is always in these wires. These hotwires are I03 and its continuing wire 90, the wire III to one side ofthe electric light and the wire I04 up to its point of connection withthe circuit makers and breakers I09 and III). The wires I05 and I06 tothe electric clock are also current conducting at all times for runningthe electric clock motor.

From this it will be understood that if the pilot light E is burning andcauses the thermometal 89 to expand, the mercury switch will be closedand allow current deliveredthrough the wire 96 Lb one side of theelectric light 91, and from there through the wire 68 up to one side ofthe mercury switch adjacent to the pilot light D. Current is at alltimes being delivered to the electric light 91 through the wire II I.The

electric light 91, therefore, constitutes a signal in that as long asthe light is burning behind the prism glass the pilot light E isignited. The minute the burner E goes out the thermo-metal 09 cools offand breaks the electric circuit thus putting out the electric light 91.

As long as the burner E is burning, current is being delivered to oneside of the mercury switch adjacent the pilot light D through the wires90, 96 and 63. The pilot light D is a constant burning pilot and thusthe thermo elements surrounding it normally holds the mercury switch ina closed position thus normally forming a constant connection betweenthe wires 68 and 58 to one side of the coil of the solenoid.Consequently when the automatic circuit maker and breaker I09 is closedand current flows to the other side of the solenoid through the wire 59,

the circuit is completed and the solenoid valve is opened.

Due to the fact that the valve 44 in the gas line to the oven lighterburner E is opened only when the gas valve controlling the supply of gasto the oven burner 3 is opened, this pilot has a gas supply only so longas the oven burner has a gas supply. Hence this-burner E is not aconstant pilot light.

By connecting the gas valve 40 for operation simultaneously with theoven burner gas valve,

the operator can operate both valves by manipulating one valve handleonly.

The oven burner pilot E will be ignited by the flash tube I52.

From the foregoing, it can be understood that the improved rangeconstruction provides a range which can be automatically or manuallycontrolled, and that the range can be shifted from automatic to manualcontrol quickly and easily. Furthermore, theautomatic control isabsolutely safe in that no gas whatsoever can be delivered to any of theburners unless both of the burners D and oven lighter burner E areburning.

In a range of the type herein described, which has an automaticoperation, the provision of a cooking top having a solid portion ishighly desirable for the reason that vegetables left in a pan of waterto be cooked over the burner 6 must not be subjected to toomuch heat andmust cook slowly to prevent the evaporation of the water within theutensil. Fast cooking would cause considerable evaporation and thevegetables would soon be cooking dry in the utensil, and would inconsequence be burned. This solid top portion I of the cooking portionof the range also makes it possible to heat a plurality of utensils overa single burner.

When natural gas is being used as fuel for the several burners aconstant burning auxiliary pilot light 33 may be provided to insureignition of the oven burner 3 and the oven lighter burner E. This pilotreceives fuel through pipe 3i. The flame of the pilot can be controlledas to size or completely eliminated by the valve I10.

Operation Having described the structure making up the presentautomatically controlled gas range, the operation of the device will nowbe described.

Let it be assumed that the lady of the house desires to spend theafternoon away from home and expects to return at six o'clock t'o find awell cooked meal awaiting her. Before leaving, she places in the oven ameat roast or other food which she desires to bake and perhaps a pot ofvegetables, which is to be cooked in water. The pot of vegetables sheplaces over the burner on the solid cooking top portion I of the rangeas here the vegetables will cook more slowly.

To provide a well cooked meal at six oclock, it will be necessary forthe meal to start cooking at three o'clock. Accordingly, she operatesthe manual switch I50 of the clock to the automatic side thus opening orbreaking the circuit through the switch IIO, sets the on dial for threeo'clock and the off dial for six o'clock. Additionally, she operates thehandle I I to close the valve 8 with the result that gas to the mainmanifold 9 can be delivered only through the by-pass gas line I2, whichline is closed by the solenoid valve C. She also operates the valvehandle 2I to open the valve I9 for the delivery of gas to the burner 5under the solid cooking top portion I of the range. At the time thisvalve I is opened, no gas will flow to the burner 6 as all gas supplyconduits to the manifold 9 are closed. She also operates the valvehandle 49 to open the valve 45 for the delivery of gas to the ovenburner 3. When the valve handle 49 is operated in addition to openingthe valve 85, it opens the valve 44 and closes the switch II. Theopening of the valve M delivers gas to the oven lighter burner E, whichwill be ignited from the constant burning pilot D through the flash tubeI52.

In approximately ten seconds time the thermo member 89 will expand andcause the closing of the mercury switch in the housing 19 through whichthe oven burner pilot light passes. As soon as this mercury switch isclosed, the electric circuit is completed to the electric light 91 andthis light will become illuminated thus advising her that burner E isburning and that the range is ready for automatic operation by theelectric controlling clock.

When three o'clock arrives, the electric clock will automatically closethe circuit maker and breaker I09 and thus complete the electric circuitthroughthe solenoid causing the solenoid valve to open. When thesolenoid valve is opened, gas is delivered to the main manifold 9 and asthe valves I9 and 05 are opened, gas will flow to the burners -6 and 3respectively and be ignited by the pilot light D and burner E,respectively. When six ,o'clock arrives, the contact I09 will beoperated to an open position by the clock and thus break the electriccircuit to the solenoid valve. The valve will then close thus cuttingoff the supply of gas to the manifold 9 and burners 3 and 8.

Thus it will be seen that the range has been automatically started andstopped and has automatically caused the cooking of the meal, which willbe ready upon the return to her home of the house-wife.

Inasmuch as the burners 0 and 5 are automatically ignited by the pilotlight D, the housewife, if she desires, can also turn on the gas tothese burners before leaving.

Upon her return to her home, the house-wife will find the light 9'!burning as this light will continue to burn as long as the burner E isburning, and the burner E will burn as long as the valve 55 remainsopen.

Attention is directed to the fact that for the automatic operation ofthe solenoid valve to take place, both the pilot light burners D and Emust be burning. If either of these pilot lights are not burning, theelectric circuits cannot be completed to cause the solenoid to beenergized. This is a safety feature and prevents any possibility of theescape of unignited gas from either ofthe cooking top burners or theoven burners.

The range can, of course, be operated independently of the automaticcontrol and when being so operated, the switch I5I is moved to thenon-automatic side and the valve handle II 0perated to open the valve 0to cause a constant flow of gas to the manifold 9. With a constant flowof gas to the main manifold 9 the range can be operated in the ordinaryand usual way.

As a matter of fact, if a non-automatic operation of the range isdesired, the electric clock and electric control can be dispensed withaltogether by disconnecting the current input wires I03 and I00 at theplug I02 at the rear of the range.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure and protect byLetters Patent are as follows:

1. In a gas range having cooking top burners and an oven burner, a gassupply line leading to each of said burners, an electrically operatedvalve in said gas supply line, a constant burning pilot light for thecooking top burners, a lighter burner adjacent the oven burner, meansoperable to ignite the oven lighter burner and the cooking top burnersfrom said constant pilot, an electric circuit including saidelectrically operated valve, thermostatically operated switches in saidelectric circuit and positioned to be closed by the heat of said pilotlight and oven lighter burners respectively, a clock in said electriccircuit operable to open and close said circuit at predetermined times,means operable to supply fuel to said oven lighter independently of saidvalve, and a signal in said circuit operable to indicate whether or notthe oven lighter burner is ignited or extinguished.

2. In a gas range having cooking top burners and an oven provided with aburner, a gas supply line leading to each of said burners, a constantburning pilot light and means operable to cause said pilot to ignite thecooking top burners, a lighter burner positioned to ignite the ovenburner, means operable to cause said pilot light to ignite said ovenlighter burner, an electrically operated valve in the gas supply lineand controlling the delivery of fuel to said oven and cooking topburners, an electric circuit including said valve, a clock operable toopen and close said circuit at predetermined times, thermostaticallyoperated switches in said circuit and operable by the heat from saidconstant pilot light and said oven lighter burners respectively to closesaid circuit, the parts operating as described to provide an automaticgas range.

3. In a gas range having cooking top burners and an 'oven burner, a gassupply line leading to each of said burners, an electrically operatedvalve in said gas line and controlling the delivery of fuel to said ovenand cooking top burners, a constant burning pilot light for the cookingtop burners, means operable to cause said pilot light to ignite saidcooking top burners, a lighter burner positioned to ignite the ovenburner, means operable to cause said pilot light to ignite the said ovenlighter burner, an electric circuit including said electrically operatedvalve, thermostatically operated switches in said circuit and operableby the heat from said constant pilot light and said oven lighter burnersrespectively to close said circuit, a clock in said electric circuitoperable to open and close said circuit at predetermined times, meansoperable to supply fuel to said oven lighter independently of saidelectrically operated valve, and a signal in said circuit operable toindicate whether or not the oven lighter burner is ignited orextinguished.

4. In a gas range having cooking top burners and an oven provided with aburner, a gas supply line leading to each of said burners, a valve insaid gas supply line and controlling the delivery of fuel to said ovenand cooking top burners, means yieldably holding said valve to a closedposition, electrically operated means for opening said valve, a constantburning pilot light for the cooking top burners, means operable to causesaid pilot light'to ignite the cooking top burners, a lighter burnerpositioned to ignite the oven burner, means operable to cause said pilotlight to ignite said oven lighter burner, an electric circuit includingelectric operating means for said valve,

a clock operable to open and close said circuit at predetermined times,thermostatically operating switches in said circuit and operable by theheat from said constant pilot light and said oven lighter burnerrespectively to close said circuit and to remain closed as long as theirrespective burners are ignited, and means operable to supply fuel tosaid oven lighter burner independently of said valve, the partsoperating as and for the purpose described.

5. In a gas range, a, main fuel supply line communicating with amanifold, cooking top burners and an oven provided with a burner, saidburners receiving their fuel from said manifold, a constant burningpilot light for the cooking top burners, means operable to cause saidpilot light to ignite said burners, an electrically operated valve inthe main gas supply line for controlling the admission of fuel to saidmanifold, a lighter burner positioned to ignite said oven burner andreceiving its fuel supply independent of the control of saidelectrically operated valve, an electric circuit including saidelectrically operated valve, a clock operable to open and close saidcircuit at predetermined times, thermostatically operated switches insaid circuit and operable by the heat from said constant pilot light andsaid oven lighter burner respectively to close said circuit, a valve forcontrolling the flow of fuel from the manifold to the oven burner, avalve for controlling the flow of fuel to the oven lighter burner, meansto simultaneously operateboth of said last named valves whereby fuel isdelivered to the oven lighter burner when the oven burner is placed incommunication with the manifold, and means operable to cause said pilotlight to ignite the oven lighter burner when gas is supplied thereto,the parts operating as described to provide an automatic gas range.

' BENJAMIN EDWARD MEACHAM.

